Prudence: General Scriptures Concerning

For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food.

Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good.

For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”

It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.

My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have struck hands in pledge with a stranger,

…if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth,

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.

A gossip reveals a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

He who puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer, but the one who hates indebtedness is secure.

He who brings trouble on his house will inherit the wind, and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

A man is praised according to his wisdom, but a twisted mind is despised.

A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.

A shrewd man keeps his knowledge to himself, but a foolish heart proclaims its folly.

Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools deceives them.

The simple man believes every word, but the prudent man watches his steps.

A wise man fears and turns from evil, but a fool is careless and reckless.

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

A fool rejects his father’s discipline, but whoever heeds correction is prudent.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.

The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

A wise servant will rule over a disgraceful son and share his inheritance as one of the brothers.

A man lacking judgment strikes hands in pledge and puts up security for his neighbor.

The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks it out.

A man’s gift opens doors for him, and brings him before great men.

Even zeal is no good without knowledge, and he who hurries his footsteps misses the mark.

The intentions of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out.

Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.

Set plans by consultation, and wage war under sound guidance.

The plans of the diligent bring plenty, as surely as haste leads to poverty.

Precious treasures and oil are in the dwelling of the wise, but a foolish man consumes them.

He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and suffer the consequences.

The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Do not be one who gives pledges, who puts up security for debts.

If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is set before you, …

Do not speak to a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.

Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.

…do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? …

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be like him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he become wise in his own eyes.

The prudent see danger and take cover, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Mockers inflame a city, but the wise turn away anger.

A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.

Do not be overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself?

Do not be excessively wicked, and do not be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

Keep the king’s command, I say, because of your oath before God.

Do not hasten to leave his presence, and do not persist in a bad cause, for he will do whatever he pleases.

As dead flies bring a stench to the perfumer’s oil, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.

If the axe is dull and the blade unsharpened, more strength must be exerted, but skill produces success.

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.

Therefore, the prudent keep silent in such times, for the days are evil.

Reconcile quickly with your adversary, while you are still on the way to court. Otherwise, he may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.

Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Do not give dogs what is holy; do not throw your pearls before swine. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces.

Which of you, wishing to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost to see if he has the resources to complete it? …

Do not allow what you consider good, then, to be spoken of as evil.

“Everything is permissible for me,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible for me,” but I will not be mastered by anything.

But food does not bring us closer to God: We are no worse if we do not eat, and no better if we do. …

“Everything is permissible,” but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible,” but not everything is edifying.

Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, …

Act wisely toward outsiders, redeeming the time.

My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,